Rob Edwards explains shock David Strelec substitution at half-time in Middlesbrough vs West Brom

Add as preferred source on Google

Middlesbrough ran out victors over West Brom, with the major talking point from the eventual 2-1 result arising at half-time.

Middlesbrough beat West Brom 2-1 on Friday evening as the Riverside resurgence under Rob Edwards continues.

Middlesbrough fans wanted David Strelec to start against the Baggies after his cameo at Preston North End last weekend, and the Boro faithful got their wish.

Strelec broke the deadlock with a deft strike after 26 minutes, but was withdrawn at half-time by Edwards despite no apparent injury concern.

Middlesbrough fans were confused by Strelec’s substitution, and now Boro boss Edwards has revealed why he withdrew the £6.5m signing after 45 minutes.

• READ MORE: Barry Bannan verdict as Portsmouth boss hails ‘really strong’ Sheffield Wednesday players

Rob Edwards explains why David Strelec was substituted vs West Brom

The Slovakian international striker proved his prolific nature in front of goal by dispatching his only shot of the evening with his only touch inside the Baggies’ box.

Strelec, who scored against Germany during the international break, stole a march on West Brom number nine Aune Heggebo before finishing past Josh Griffiths.

With Strelec’s strike sending Middlesbrough one-nil ahead at the interval, eyebrows were raised around the Riverside to see the Slovakian withdrawn and Kaly Sene brought on in his place.

In a confusing yet positive injury update regarding Boro’s £6.5m man, Edwards revealed that Strelec’s substitution for Sene was not due to injury.

After full-time, Edwards told Sky Sports: “David (Strelec), like a lot of the lads at the moment, they’re still getting up to speed with how we play and what we do.

“We just felt that Kaly’s (Sene’s) energy and intensity would help us, because I just felt we needed that at that moment.

“So, yeah, it was a tactical one, and it’s always nice when they come off and the strikers get the goals.

“Really pleased with David, both he and Kaly are going to be big players for us, there’s no doubt about it.

“But we’ve got a squad, and like we said after Preston, and I told the lads in the dressing room, and I said it to the press as well, if we need to go early with subs, we will do it.

“The game’s 90-odd minutes long, it doesn’t have to be at 60 or 75, we’ll do it when we see fit.”

• READ MORE: Leicester City fans are left in shock as academy graduate extends deal until 2029

David Strelec and Kaly Sene’s stats against West Brom

Edwards’ substitution of Strelec for Sene proved to be an inspired decision, with the Senegalese forward scoring Boro’s second.

Sene doubled his side’s lead with a clever finish to cap off an exhilarating Middlesbrough move to also open his Boro account with his only shot on target of the Friday evening clash, as Strelec did.

Edwards was elated with Middlesbrough’s business in his first transfer window in charge ahead of this season, and two summer arrivals to Teesside made the difference against West Brom.

Strelec and Sene were both prolific against the Baggies after scoring with their only respective shots on target, which leaves Edwards with a serious selection headache ahead of table-topping Boro’s trip to Southampton next weekend.